Remembering Jesus

 I Corinthians 11:23-25 -"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread; And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." Jesus was declaring His death here; His own death to His own will and to His own plans, to do His Father's will. We declare our own willingness to die when we pass the emblems in our Sunday morning meeting to our brothers and our sisters, openly declaring we have nothing against them. This price of redemption has been fully paid, and we are no longer our own. When we consider Jesus, who paid the price, I sometimes forget He has bought me, and I fail to commend Him that paid the ransom price for me.  Verse 25 tells that the New Testament is His blood. We have been sealed by His blood, and it's valid. We have the privilege each Sunday of renewing our covenant when we partake of the Emblems.

When do we examine our self? Is it in a meeting, or is it daily? Keep a short account. We can make all things right in a few hours, or in one moment. Don't wait to make things right.  Do it NOW.  In Exodus 12 we read of the first Passover. The yearling is the best time for a little lamb. Some sought for spots in Jesus but they found none. When the lamb was in the home, they had no fear that it would bite, scratch or kick them.  They weren't by the lamb because it was meek, pure and safe.  Everyone loved the lamb. It was hard for the little children to see that little lamb die. Jesus never resisted His death on the cross.

At the Passover Feast, the lamb was roast with fire, then it was eaten. That was like the righteousness of Christ.  When righteousness is fulfilled, persecution follows, but the result is glorious. The lamb was always eaten with unleavened bread, not with anything worldly or any leaven of the Pharisees. Many religious organizations have so many rules and regulations that their members carry around terrible burdens.

The lamb was all eaten, not just the good parts.  The head included the eyes, ears, mouth and words; the inwards are likened to the seat of all our affections; the heart, our feelings; the feet, our walk. Do we love the Lamb; do we love His mind, His words, His walk and His love?  We become what we feed upon. In that day, people wore loose garments which they wrapped around themselves during a sand storm.  Belts placed on a loose garment always had a purpose. Their feet were shod. When we partake of the emblems in a Sunday morning meeting, we have a purpose and we are going some-where. The feet being shod showed they were ready for the journey. They leaned upon the staff (God's Word, not our own understanding) when the going got rough. God's people didn't go out of their homes until morning. We, too, are on a journey, because our Bridegroom has not come.  We're under His protection, and we are waiting. No one was to go out from a house that had the blood sprinkled doorposts.  We know what happened to the Egyptians outside.  There was death, darkness, coldness, sorrow, remorse and those wishing they had believed. Inside the blood-sprinkled home was safety, security, hope of an everlasting life, warmth, fellowship with God, and with our brothers and sisters. Whenever there is a problem, send for the Lamb.  He will keep you under His protection.

 In Acts 4:16 ".....What shall we do to these men: for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it." A miracle was done but it spread no further. Peter and John were beaten and imprisoned nearly 2,000 years ago because men didn't want the Gospel to leave Jerusalem, but those men couldn't stop the furthering of the Gospel.  An earthquake released Paul and Silas from prison. How can men stop the Gospel? Who can stop the Spirit from leading His people? Who can stop His people from praying? Some even tried to stop Jesus from rising from the dead.

G. Pinkerton 1996 Happy, TX

Come Unto Me And Labour

I’m Glad for my privileges here. Simeon Sarmiento and Jim Girton came to visit us in Holland and was a big help to us. Now it’s my turn to give back.
Gen 24. This is Abraham sending his servant to look for a bride for his son, Isaac. The most important choice we ever made is the choice on how we spend our life. That choice is to live for God. We can fill a precious place in God’s kingdom. The work is the greatest privilege we can have in this life. The next greater privilege is to have an open home. This is what we read in Gen 24, the bride and the bridegroom. Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is the bride. Abram called all his servants – a picture of the workers going into the world. Our acceptance and willingness to go with the servants is the most beautiful to behold. Yes - is the best word in any language.
V.3; God is the god of heavens. In the heavens there is truth. Heaven is the safest place for us to be. The Sun rules during the day. The Moon rules during the night. But God rules day and night. The mercy of God is like the moon. It is a reflection of the Sun. Abram made his servant swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth. The God of Abram is the god of promise. The God of Isaac is the God of fulfillment of the promise. The God of Jacob is the fruit or the result of the gospel. This is the fruit of the spirit. And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. Servants are sent to sow the word. God is concerned with quality more than quantity. Find a bride for Isaac. Gospel went to find a bride for Jesus. We must keep Gods words in our hearts. Isaac didn’t go with the servants. We bring the truth to the world if no one wants to accept it, bring Isaac back. It is something holy and not to be mixed with the world. We are glad Jesus himself came into this world to look for a bride. If we want to make choices in the future, be sure to find someone who is serving God. Servant came to the well. He asked for water from Rebecca. He asked for a sign. God will help to confirm what his will is. Rebecca was willing to serve. Rebecca was beautiful. God was in her heart. Willingness to serve in her spirit says...“what can I do?” God is pleased with this kind of spirit. It is hard to work with people who are not willing. I need to be willing first. Rebecca was very willing to help. Servant wanted to make sure that this is the maiden chosen for his master’s son..v21. He held his peace. He was waiting for another confirmation. Servant was happy because she was from Abram’s family who also serve God. God took Abram away from his family and now God giving a wife for his son from his own family. God blessed Abram so much. God blesses all his children as they obey.
Mat. 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” God invites us to come through the gospel. This is the way the servants are looking for a bride for the Son of God. We learn from him as we journey to meet the bridegroom of our soul.
Gen 24:27 - And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren. The servant being in the way, God has led him. God can only lead us if we are in the way. His mercy and his truth are the same as in the New Testament. Servant went to Rebecca’s parents. Servants first told of his purpose before he ate; his message was more important than his needs. He introduced his master Abraham. This is God’s will leading him to the well. V49. Servant asked this question, “And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.” To take Rebecca or not he wants Rebecca to come on her own free will. V,50. This is from the Lord. This is how we all feel. We can’t say good or bad about this. Whatever God says we want to do. There’s a blessing in believing in God’s words. Rebecca has her own free will to choose. Truth can make a very big change in a life. Need to be very careful. Time came to make a choice. Rebecca made her choice. This is very important. Concerning the gospel is for the kingdom’s best. I’m thankful for my time here in the Philippines. If God speaks we should be ready to hear and obey. We started on a journey to be with our bridegroom... Isaac…is like Jesus. Jesus came to earth to find his bride...he saw the possibility. One day he will come again to get his bride. We have a friend in Norway who used to be the leader in a group who studied the Bible. She organized this group in the village so they could come together to study the Bible. Since reading the Bible, she understood that adults should be baptized and not babies. After she professed, the people in the village lost the best they have. The gospel takes the best from the world. I am the only one professing in my family. I have four brothers and four sisters. Why God did choose me? I do not know. I have no answer. It is only God who can answer. It is only of God’s mercy. Another friend in Norway is an old lady who has to walk to a mountain place to be in meeting with the friends. Someone asked her, “Where are you going?” “Why go there?” She points to the house on the hill, “I’m going to that house where the light is burning. My heart is there and I want to bring my body where my heart is.” Jesus said, “Where your heart is, there where your treasure be also.” If our heart is in heaven we will go there. We would have a desire to journey to get there. Trust God and go further. Think of Jesus’ sacrifice. He went all the way. Jesus has gone farther than anyone of us can go. Jesus is waiting for his bride. Isaac waited for his bride. Isaac was comforted after her mother died. Sarah was in heaven and the treasures there increased. We can think of Jesus on the cross. The one whom he loved most was his mother, Mary. She understood the will of God has to be first. Jesus understood the pain in his mother. When you go out with the gospel you must come back with the truth. Abram blessed his servant and he found a bride for Isaac. Jacob was born. This is like the fruit of the spirit – the fruit of the gospel going forth. God was at work and is still working today. Luke 19:26, “For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.” This is like convention. They that receive will have more. God blesses his children at convention and gives more. In 1982, was my first convention and I felt my heart was flooded with the love of his servants; God’s spirit and peace; and I feel like I was on a beach and waves coming and kept on coming to me like God’s love. Think of this wedding – the future we look forward to – It is our preparation for the wedding day. We can be blessed if we are willing to go. The bride is the most important. The day the bride meets the bridegroom is the happiest day of all. Clothe in white and cleansed by the blood of Christ. We would like to be found like Rebecca who was willing to go with the servants.

S. Leyte Convention – March 28, 2015, 9:00 A.M.

M. Miltenburg

The Seed And The Sower

I don’t think we can ever fully understand the interest our Sower has in every piece of ground! What will the reaping be? It all depends on 2 factors: we need good seed and good soil. We have no doubt about the seed, which came from heaven, and at a price! In this seed is the potential of eternal life, and the possibility of producing the same fruit that was found in Jesus. But, the soil is something else! In not one of these 3 classes that didn’t produce a harvest, was the seed at fault!! It was the soil!! There’s no soil so poor that it cannot produce something, if it’s separated and yielded, and willing to be worked.

Matthew 13:4 – “Some fell by the wayside.” This ground was too hard – not soft enough for the seed to penetrate. Like those who listen in a careless way. The seed then will just be taken away – no impressions made. Seed by the wayside is just stepped on and trodden under foot. Like despising the word spoken. One man said, for example: “I listen to anything, as long as it’s God’s word, and the things I don’t like, I just let them go over my head!!” Many are like this: “I will decide what I’ll take notice of!” The seed growing by the wayside doesn’t reach maturity. It has no chance of maturing because of the traffic on the road, or the cattle, and the wheels of the carts, breaking it off. There’s no respect for the tender things, like the tenderness that God wants to produce in our hearts. The wayside soil is not separated for a specific purpose. If we want to yield our lives to God, there has to be a measure of separation from this world.

Verses 5-6 – “The stony ground.” The soil looked, and was, good on the surface, but underneath there was a hard layer. It’s like those who listen, being emotionally moved at the time, and maybe have an immediate reaction, but not moved to faith nor obedience. This class had no depth of earth – shallowness! Casual listening is dangerous, without having understanding from God. It’s the cause of unfruitfulness in a life. Jesus didn’t say much about how much time we should spend in prayer, but rather, how to pray! Shallow prayers don’t mean much to God. If we could only realize the power in prayer, we’d be faithful, and never miss praying. It’s not a matter of changing God’s thoughts when we pray, but to give ourselves over to Him again, so that our thoughts can be in line with His. It’s the opportunity to give God the opportunity to change our will to do His will. This is the deep soil. The answer is in finding the presence of the Giver – that’s where our salvation begins! Superficial soil doesn’t require much preparation. The preparation before the meeting – this is deep soil.

Verse 8 – “The good soil.” This is soil that is willing to have the right put in, and the wrong taken out. No soil left to itself will produce good fruit. So, the teaching to give the children what they want isn’t good. Freedom without restraint is destruction. Liberty is not good. It takes nourishment out of the soil. Weeds take the light away from plants, like sapping one’s strength. Then we fall asleep and cannot get through, when we do have desires to seek God. It’s a slow process, until there’s no more love nor peace. The good ground is ground that is willing to be worked over, time and time again. -South African Convention

Matthew 13 – The Seed and the Sower:

D. Linaman Letter

Gospel in Chaochou, Taiwan. Dec. 1962 - Part 1

Chaochou is a small town located in South Taiwan on a plain. This plain is bordered on the west side by the South China Sea, and on the east side by the mountains. These tree-covered mountains are very pretty as clouds hang over their high peaks most of the time. Within the borders of these mountains is a tribe of Aborigines called the Taiwan and they are quite primitive with customs and language all their own. Recently some missionaries have attempted to put their language into writing.

Mark’s Gospel and Acts have been translated (for them), beside a few songs, - a few have them in their homes and are able to read them. They all work hard on the sides of these steep slopes seeking to inch out a living. Diet consists mainly of sweet potatoes and Yu-tu, also of a sweet potato root, no meat, eggs, or milk. At times they get wild game, but it is difficult to get them without rifles – only bow and arrow; some use traps to get the wild animals – the hogs that molest their fields in cooler weather. You often see men wearing skins of deer made into dress. Women like gay colours, long coverings and long wrappings, standard equipment. Young men often wear beads of bear tusks, horns, etc. These all tend to add flavour to the atmosphere of the hills; also make vivid their history of head hunting and the game that was played with the head in a basket. Heads were tossed into the air – with each trying to catch it in their basket, now it is played with a ball.

After coming to Chaochou, was out visiting one day and saw a servant girl working in a Taiwanese home. She said that she believed in Jesus and asked me why do not some go to her people and villages, and teach them the Gospel. She said “No one ever goes there”. She told me the village but it did not mean much to me, but often wondered about it and (if) the way would open up. This girl's family are now attending the meetings and seem interested. On a Sunday evening, November 11th, was out for a walk. Was walking down the street towards a Lutheran Church where a meeting was going on when a mountain man, about 25 years old came up and asked me if I was a Lutheran Preacher. He said he had come to see if someone would come to his village and teach them the "Way of God”. We talked for two hours and he did not go to the Lutheran preacher. He said he would go back and talk it over with the village and return on Wednesday morning. He returned and they wanted us to come. We then started our application to get three months' permit from the police to enter the aboriginal area. The following Thursday morning (Thanks-giving day) it came through; and in the evening we came up looking for Tai-e village, the last village up the river bed.

It surely seemed a long way.  After checking in at the police stations, it took a couple of hours to get there. After leaving the checking station you are in the aboriginal area and an entirely different country, out across narrow trails, dry river beds that are raging torrents during typhoon, seasons, along little trails hanging on the sides of mountains, and up though beautiful canyons. Tai-e is a village on the side of a mountain. Homes are all together in long rows, everything is made of stone, even the roofs are slabs of slate all so neat and everything in order. These slabs of slate are brought up from the river bed and are quite large, perhaps 4 or 5 feet. We arrived about 5 pm. and the village was beginning to bustle with evening activity as its occupants were returning from the mountain. Women with loads of wood upon their backs, all trotting into the village.

There was a call on the mountain and some children by our side said it was hunters, and they were returning from the mountain and they had some game. Before long a scarcely clad man came with a deer. We had planned to return by dark - as it was fast getting so, but they said that the believers in the nearby village saw us come and would be over to the village for a meeting that night. We hadn't planned on this but stayed and Wolf came out. Soon darkness settled down and a little oil wisk was lit and that gave us light that we could distinguish walls, corners, dark faces, and opening into still dark quarters.

Different ones would slip in to see the “foreigners” a few words exchanged and then gone again as quickly as they slipped in. About 7 p.m. we went to another home and there was a big bowl of these sweet potato like vegetables, called Yu-tu, set before us. It surely was hard to dispose of some of it. Since 8pm the folks began to arrive and the meeting started - quite a few there. A few of their native songs were sung and I was to speak though an interpretation.  Afterwards there was quite a discussion, and I came to find out that we were accepted and they were glad we could come. If I had known it was to be my trial sermon I would have been more scared than I was.

Then, there were questions. Why so many denominations? baptism? collections? what days should a Christian remember? etc. The meeting lasted till 10pm. and surely it was a joy to answer their questions with Jesus as an example. A couple of quilts were brought and the night was spent in "Tasus” home where the meeting was held. The bed bugs and mites weren't a help to induce sleep; daylight was welcome and with it the village activity of preparing to leave for the mountain to work in their fields. Breakfast came, as supper and several gathered with more questions and so glad we had planned a Sunday night meeting with them.

November 25th - Sunday p.m - Off to the meeting again; no checking in at the police stations this time. On the trail we met a mountain man, a preacher for the Nazarenes and the only one in South Taiwan. He said he had just been to our village and "Our Home” and taken his Bible and a bunch of pictures to give them a meeting; but they told him we were coming and they would have their meeting then. This was his first meeting.

We had a good meeting with 25 or so in - questions afterwards, and a long after meeting. It was the Baptist who were there 6 years ago. One elderly woman said “we’ve been believers for 6 years and still we don’t understand and our leaders don’t understand either." We surely felt weak and shaky here but a comfort to know that even though we are in the dark so much of time yet the Spirit of God understands these hearts and is able to reveal God's Truth and Way to those who are honest in heart. They told us that they had been praying that someone would come to help them. Several young folk among them who seem to have a real interest, and value what they can understand of the Bible.

One day on the trail we met a young man from still another village who wants us to come and have meetings there. He is responsible for administration work in this village, called E-Lin. They have provided a place for us to stay and it really touched our hearts to see them bring in some cooking utensils and some wood, and some vegetables, etc for us that night (Monday); was such a beautiful night; moon was full - lighting the village nestled here on the mountain side. All is quiet except for some young men out wooing their mountain maidens. Here the young woman are not permitted to leave their homes, or even walk with young men at night so the custom is for the young men to go to various homes that have young ladies, seeking entrance into the home for an evening. We were taken to a building here that is used for preaching and perhaps 25 or so gathered in. There was attendance and attention given, also questions, one often asked is about Christmas, and they appreciated knowing that it is just a pagan festivity with a pagan background, the Bible having no foundation for it.

That night while getting ready for sleep we heard a knock at the door and here was a young maiden who had been to the meeting, with a few melons to give us. She said “We mountain people are very poor and don't have very much," but she wanted us to have these. Ones’ heart is moved towards these poor forgotten people. We could not find ourselves here if it were not for the sacrifice of His people in other lands, and we do long to be faithful  in bringing to them what has been brought to us by those who have been willing to lay down their lives for his Kingdom. The need is surely great for labourers.

I wish you could see the children going home from school, strung out along the trail as we go up for Wednesday evening meeting. When they see us coming they will line up, take off their hats, the boys say, “Peace” as we go by. May be some of them will know the true peace as a result of yielding to the will of God since the Gospel has found an entrance into their mountain home.

December 27th Monday - Came to the village this morning, plan a meeting here tonight, all is so quiet. Almost all have gone to the mountain side to their fields. Can hear the thug-thug of the pounding of the grain as the woman lift heavy stones and let them drive into hollowed out logs. Lovely weather and one enjoys it.

Friday we plan to go to Gaichung and Saturday the folks from Tai-pei will be down and we will be together including Don Garland.  He is on his way to the Philippines for the conventions. Sunday we plan to have our special meetings in Taichung. We surely look forward to these times of fellowship again with our brethren.

Winter is here with its tomatoes, oranges and lots of watermelons at 21- per pound. The soya bean, crop will soon be harvested, as the sugar cane is now..

Many thanks for your letters, do write again and try to remember us before Our Father with your prayers.
Yours in His Mercy,
Dellas.  
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 Dellas Linaman
Gospel in Chaochou, Taiwan - Part 2

January-April, 1963
Box 2, Chaochou, Taiwan.

January 2nd. Up early this morning and off on the train headed back to our field in South Taiwan. Did have good days in Aipei where we had our special meetings last Sunday in Lee's home, but it will also feel good to get back to where the sun shines. About 40 gathered with us for 3 meetings; and we do feel the spirit of God with us. Useless to gather before God without His Spirit present. All of the workers saw us off – probably won't see them again for three months, when we gather for our first convention April 5th to 7th. One can’t help think of the Aborigines where we have been having meetings and how all progressed in our absence. These poor souls struggle for life. One hopes they will find life in Christ, which makes the struggle so worthwhile.

January 10th. Today, again it is up the river bed to the last village for a meeting tonight. This is just one of those "uttermost parts" waiting for the Gospel. One is conscious of many more, but we are so few. One is thankful for the eye of the Lord that goes to and fro through the whole world; it has been so evident here or we could never find ourselves in this 'forgotten' place. Tienpao, the 21 year old boy of the home where we have the meeting told us tonight as he stood by a high slab of saloto stone that holds up part of the house. that it has been his desire to be a child of God for several years. His heart was so saddened when he'd think of all the different denominations, at times even inclined to doubt if there was a God. He had decided only to read the Bible and go by it, not being influenced by what man or denomination would say or do. The Catholics came to the village with the American surplus of flour, oil, etc. giving it to only those who would embrace the Catholic teaching. He said, My stomach was hungry, life was so bitter and hard and we were tempted but we knew it was wrong and decided if they worked harder on the mountain side - they'd get by and do not starve. Then told how he prayed to God, not many times just three or four, that He would send His messengers to show His true way; and we came.

January 13th Little Sunday morning meeting with the Loos this morning, just Wolfgang and I and the Loos. They insisted on us having dinner with them each time, which we do. Nice to see the change in that home since God has given place in both of their lives. In the p.m. about 3.30 we leave for the mountain getting to Iai-i, the last village up the river.  About 15.30 just as darkness begins to settle down in the valley, the folk are beginning to trot into the village with their heavy loads, which they had gathered from of the mountains. Loads of sweet potatoes, taro roots or firewood. The little 16 year old girl of the home here comes in with a basket full of sweet potatoes on her head that I can hardly lift. She had brought it from one of the fields high on the side of the mountain about two hours away. Only the women carry things on their heads, the men’s burdens are carried on their shoulders. Tonight Pin Young came in and took over the meeting, singing their mountain songs and interpreting for us. The young folk say that he does not interpret all we say and no wonder because he is the one, the big Baptist missionary from California hired when he was here in December and surely doesn't like us to talk about the hireling ministry. He does not get much a month, just $1.50 US. But it is just as wrong as if he got 3,000 dollars. That morning Pin Young in the meeting asked for a show of hands of those in favour of building a church, no hands went up. Tienpao took the Baptist sign down again that was hanging on the side of' their Mapo it was down to stay. One surely wonders what is going to develop there but how we pray it will be a little church there in the uttermost parts witnessing to the love and mercy of a never changing God in a never changing way.

January 17th, Big day in Lai-i. Noticed an extra amount of people on the trail. This was the first day that the Catholic priest had been in the village and a real joyous occasion. His agents had been here giving out the American surplus to their believers for some time. Today the Catholics take idols into the home. First of all the priest would light a string of fire crackers in front of the home (this was to chase all the spirits away, that is the way the Buddists do it). Then he would open a bottle of nice wine, sprinkling a small portion of it around, then the idols were placed in the home on the shelf that had been prepared. Lots of wine was consumed; even the village policeman was drunk. The priest first visited him. This priest says that you are not a man if you don’t drink wine. It was quite enlightening to these folk to discover in the Bible that those who are drunken cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.

January 20th. meeting with lots here in Chaochou - dinner - wee nap, a cup of tea and back to the hills. There, four of the Aborigine boys stopped by to go back with us on their bikes. Nice little gesture on their part, and they often do it. We found Tienpao very much upset. The Baptist preacher and leaders from Kule village came up this morning and they elected officers, deacons, elders, etc from the church. The meeting lasted till late in the afternoon.  They asked for donations for a couple of newly weds. They got forty Taiwan dollars. These church leaders brought wine and were drinking it in the newly weds home then Tienpao happened to come in on them. They also spoke against us and are afraid that we will discredit their church; but Tienpao stands up for us and sincerely feels that our coming has been God's answer to his prayers. How our hearts go out to this young honest lad and hope God will give him strength to stand even alone against such. He loves the Bible and values its truth for backing.

January 25th. Chinese New Year. It equals American 4th July, Thanks giving, New year. Birthdays, all are rolled into one. Fire crackers start off early, every one is dressed up - dressed in new clothes. Children have got their red envelopes with money and every one is happy. Our neighbours in all their finery and beauty were gathered in front of the house when there comes the little Wenjung and his wild looking old dad, from the meetings to see us. His hair is awfully long, ragged cloths and bare feet. They had to come to see us and gave us some taro root. They wouldn't look very good to most in comparison, but their heart was surely beautiful and encouraging. Little Wenjung, a boy of 15-16, has never missed a meeting. His folk don’t come but they encourage him to come. It was this little boy who a few weeks ago slipped us some taro root one night before a meeting. One couldn't help but feel that God saw it. It is quite cold these nights, down to 50 degrees, the coldest was 48 the other day. Surely hard on the folk in the mountains who have so few clothes and very little bedding. Then a lot of their beds are just stone. Tienpao has come in to sleep with us on the two inch planks - he just says the planks are softer than the stone and warmer too.

January 28th Visited another village today, up to another branch of the river called China Husing. It was a good 2 hours walk from Kulo village. Such beautiful country - beautiful scenery, everything so vast and high. The village is located high on the side of the mountain. The preacher from Kulo took us up and we stayed in his folk's home. Quite a home in its wild mountain beauty. The walls are high slabs of slate stone as well as the floor and roof.

By our sleeping place was a high pillar holding up the roof and on it was carved a life-sized man and woman who looked at you so eerie in the weak flickering oil light. They seem to be citizens of other work and perhaps knew more about carvings on the roof lodge that run the length of the building whereon was carved snakes, deer, and men holding a head of another. This village was the enemy of Lai-i. One of Shulin’s relatives holds the record in the village for heads - he has 110. They kept records by carving. After taking ten heads, one was carved on a slab of wood.  Their relative got engaged. It was really quite an occasion between the parents. There was a big mirror hanging in the house commemorating the day engagement. Nice this way, you get to know him before you have to live with him; before being blinded by love! We had tonight in the church building made of straw; quite a few came in after the gong was sounded. All sang from me-Tory - one or two had Bibles, but all listened so well. Do hope the Lord will be able open up this place and they be ready and willing to step in.

January 31st. After every meeting here in Lai-i there is an after meeting.  We miss out so much in this. We'd love to know what these dear souls are thinking. In so many things and in so many ways we are just left in the dark but it has been good as one is forced to depend more upon the spirit of God who knows none of these barriers . Often in praying for guidance and wisdom regarding these times in the Aboriginal area the thought that was so real was "patience and you will see My Hand working". So often perhaps, wisdom is manifested by being patient. Tonight after the meeting most had left and Pungsung, the preacher, was talking to Tienpao; before long he gets up and leaves. We came to find out that Tienpao had told him that he wasn't a Baptist anymore - Tienpao turns to us and sort of bewildered, said "But what Church do I belong to? I guess to the Lord and you". Wonder what will develop in the next Sunday morning meeting. Would like to be there.

February 3rd. With Loo's again this Sunday morning. Where two or three are together in His Name, He’ll meet with them, is a good promise. We heard that the meeting in Lai-i this morning was a loud and long one, still at Tienpao house but he was in the bedroom. He said such a meeting would cause the Spirit of God to fly a long way off. Pungsung preached and announced a meeting for that night in the west village to hinder those folk from coming. You can imagine what a surprise it was at our meeting time to see him storm in with a lot of young folk telling them to sit up near fringe and ask why the older folk came because they couldn't sing anyway; this was a singing meeting. Tienpao gives a distressed look as he [Pungsung] tells the folk to put our hymn books down they'd sing their own songs. We didn’t understand what was going on, but handed him our book announced No. 1 and he submitted; and the meeting went on and he did not interpret, which pleased us and Tienpao did well.

February 4th. As we came out this a.m. Tienpao came with us to trade about 10 or 15 worth of wood for vegetables. They don't have much money if any. If you bring out too much wood the police will catch them, but permissable to bring a little to trade for something to eat. Tienpaol's dad has not been out to Chaochou for 7 years. Perhaps he will come out this fall when Tienpao has to go to the army. He surely is a nice man - works hard for his family. Tienpao wanted to meet Loo's and it was so touching to hear him tell them that he'd always wanted to be a child of God. But all these years they'd been misled and mistreated by the false, until just two months ago when two of God's servants came to us to bring us the truth. One is humbled under such sounds of a testimony from one of His that was lost but now is found, was blind but now can see. It is a great search and it's good when one keeps searching. Organized religion with a salaried ministry can never bring to honest seeking souls what love and sacrifice will. He told us how he fears not being saved and wondered if a young life like his shouldn’t go fourth into the Lords Harvest Field, thus lessening the chances of missing an entrance into Heaven.

February 7th. Went over to the uncle of Tienpao this evening before the meeting. It has encouraged us to see the way he listened in the meetings.  Often on the morning we see him sitting in the window with a board or two removed to let in the light, reading a Japanese Bible we gave him. This evening all was so dark but he was with his family sitting around an open fire built on the floor of the kitchen. On the fire was a large pot with lots of tiny little sweet potatoes in it covered with leaves to hold the steam, cooking. No rain this year so the potatoes are so tiny and few. His life has been difficult, with the mother leaving him and the children. Then nature was a bit hard as they worked last year clearing the jungle for a new field but nothing from it - no rain. The fire reflecting off their partially nude bodies offered an unusual picture to the western eye. One son about 12 years, a bright-eyed little fellow, sat on a stool by the fire and would interpret for me and his dad. It seemed a joy to speak a little about the riches in Christ where there is abundance and eternal life. Once in a while the father would take a burning stick from the fire and by its light see if supper was cooking, then would sit down in the darkness. The potatoes done and time to leave. But no! They wanted me to eat with them. The biggest potatoes are not big, no bigger than a banty egg, were taken out for me and with ginger grated into hot water for soup we had supper. Maybe such shouldn’t be mentioned as it can't be respected or valued as it should by those who have more. Touched my heart to see those dear souls gathered around that blackened pot, and in this dim light that little boy could be seen with bowed head and hands folded, thanking his God. Causes one to ask themselves, "Where is my thankfulness and the life that proves it."

February 10th. Surely wanted to know what the big topic of conversation was after the meeting tonight in the mountains. Finally had to ask. "Oh, we're just comparing the difference between the way it used to be and the way it is now since you came to us".

Good news from Taipei telling of three in their late teens and early twenties making their choice to walk in The Way of God. This was in Charles' and Descantes' meetings. Mentioned that there were a pair of twins in the same work of preaching the Gospel in Oregon. They wanted to know if the twins were all right. Because before, whenever twins were born, it was taken for bad luck and they were both left uncared for until one died; and then the mother would take the lone survivor and raise it.  But the government hinders them from doing that now. How customs vary.

February 26th. Wolf not feeling good, so to the meetings alone today for the first time in the west tribe village meeting, in house No 50. The Mr. here is a 100% mountain man - he has the reputation of being the best wild boar hunter of all.  He also catches little monkeys to sell. Wish he'd listen to the Gospel like his wife does. Their name is Pang. The two preachers, Tai and Pungsung, were both in the meeting yesterday, and today both of them have been after Tienpao. They weren’t willing to reason from the scriptures so he told them to take the Baptist sign out of his house; and that neither they nor their meetings were welcome until they were willing to follow the example of Jesus. It caused quite a stir.

March 1st - Friday. Left Lai-i this morning with Tienpao sitting there with his Bible and hymn book. Tried to assure him that God is with him and we will remember them in prayer on Sunday morning as they seek to have their first meeting together. It seems to be a serious matter to him and we wish we could be with him, just standing by if nothing else. But perhaps it is best for some things to shape up without us there. It is God's building and it is God who sets the members in the body as it pleases Him. Tempo's understanding amazes us. Has a great lack of education and even misunderstanding the Chinese that we use to communicate with him; but surely there is nothing that replaces sincerity and willingness in getting an understanding and making progress in the Way of God. Echih handed us a little bundle of taro root today. One's heart is touched and humbled by such as you know that they need it themselves - food is scarce for these poor people.

March 3rd - Sunday. Can imagine where our thoughts were this morning especially around 8 when the fold were together for their first Sunday meeting in Lai-i.  We were at Loo's for the meeting. We found out that 3 Baptist preachers came to Tempo's home to have church as before, in spite of what he had said to them Monday and Tuesday. Again this 21 year old lad tells them that if they are not willing to follow the Bible to leave. And also if there are any there who have a Baptist ear, to go. They left and so did some of the folk that had gathered, leaving just those who had been attending the mission to have their Sunday meeting together. The Baptist sign was hung on a neighbor's house - a home where there is no Bible or any one that cares.  (Incidentally since Pungsung was hired by the American Baptists in December, till now, he hasn't gotten himself a Bible). Today they brought up some used clothes to strengthen the Baptist faith in some of their wavering members.

March 8th - Friday. A long meeting this morning before leaving the mountains and to go back to Chaochou. Several came in with their Bibles and wanted to know more about the order of the Sunday morning meetings. In 1st Cor.14 "Woman are to keep silent". It corrected some of them who sometimes visit and ask one another questions in the meeting. The Aunt was asking about 1st Cor. 11.15 regarding hair - she asked if her hair was long enough. It is not a question of how long but whether it is cut or not. Good to see these dear souls not contentious. Nothing can replace sincerity and willingness for making progress in the heavenly way .

March 17th. Came up to Kulu last night, half way, so as to come on up to Lai-I for the 8 am meeting.  Will be our first with them and their third meeting. Planned to start at 8.00 but the folk from the West Tribe didn’t get over till 8.15. Pretty good seeing that none of them have a watch of any kind. Was good to hear them praying one by one, short and prompt. I could not understand - not one word. Just Tienpao and the Aunt gave their testimonies. Others had places to speak from but lacked courage. Had a long discussion after the meeting. All appeals to them; it is wonderful how truth appeals to an honest heart and willing even though they had never seen, or heard, or read of it before. It takes "like good seed falling into the ground."  Who should ask me to dinner but little Wenjung. He says, "If you’ll eat sweet potatoes I'll like you to come to my home." His parents were out in the hills, just me and his little brother had dinner together with a six month old pig begging at our feet for a sweet potato skin. He says, "I've only repented about half, there is still a lot of changes to be made in my life." He is the little laddie that slipped us a sack of taro root before the meeting one evening. He is 100% Aborigine and we love him. After the meeting tonight Mrs Yen and others were talking about some changes to be made in their lives. One was giving up native customs; like before they eat they'd take an old dried piece of pig hide and according to the number eating, go through the form of pinching off a portion to feed the spirits of each. Would this be their way of giving Grace?

March 21st - Thursday. Tienpao stopped by our bach in Kulu yesterday and ate his first piece of bread. Didn't even know what it was, but thought it was good though. Little Shulin stopped by today, telling how his mother, brother and sister-in-law are all against him because he comes to the meetings. They talk against us and him. He says, "sometimes they make me cry". Who strives against self and comrades will find the most powerful foe. All honour to him if he conquers. A cheer to the boy who says no, "There’s many a battle fought daily the work knows nothing about. There's many a brave little soldier who's strength puts legions to rout."

March 27th - Friday. Wolf returned to Chaochou today from Hong Kong. Was surely enthused over their time there. He felt that the convention could be described by being full of grace and truth. All seemed to receive help and encouragement.

April 2nd. Met the train in Kaos-hung for Clarence Anderson and Truman Denio. We are surely thankful for these visitors and visits. Supper at Loo's afterwards. Clarence gave us a very helpful meeting round the table. He'd surely love to go back to Taichung.  Wolf will be coming to Taichung on Thursday along with Tienpao and Mrs Loo.

April 5th - Friday. The first day of the first convention in Taiwan and a good day it was for all of us. Had the meetings in Tsai’s home in the third floor. Some of the men's sleeping was on the fourth floor. The women stayed in the sister's bach. Was good to see the effort that some of the friends put forth to get down for 3 days. We heard today that if there is willingness in our hearts then there will be power to do the Will of God. If we are thankful people then, we will be useful people.

April 7th - Sunday. Time has gone so fast - perhaps 45 or 50 of us gathered together. Great to see the effect these meetings have had on the friends. Tienpao says, "maybe in two more years we can have a convention in the mountains". Testimonies so good - one is encouraged. Tonight we had workers meeting in the sister's bach. These times are so good for us. One is glad when their eyes are lifted to the needs of a perishing world and realizes more deeply the hope that there is in the Gospel for them. I do want to keep faithful to the end, realizing that we are rewarded for our labours, and not for the fruits. The one who labours in the vineyard gets his penny even though little or no fruit is gathered in for the Master. One’s labour in the Lord is not in vain.  Wonder what the future holds for us. You will continue to remember us in your prayers won't you? Also the needs of a perishing world.

Yours in His Service, Dellas

Letter from DELLAS LINAMAN (nearly 50 years ago!)

Christ's Second Coming And Millennium

It seems to me that the Lord will come suddenly with power and great glory and that glory will light up the sky with the reflection of its brilliancy. He will, I understand, send angels before Him to sound trumpets, calling the saints who are alive away from the earth to meet the Lord in the air. The Lord will bring with him from Heaven all the saints who have gone there. He will give them a resurrection body to appear in and at the same time will give a similar body to the saints that are alive on the earth. All will meet and greet in the air away from the inquisitive eyes of those who despised and rejected the Lord and His riches in glory. Then the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place, when those who are worthy are wedded to Him never again to be separated from Him. Gifts will be distributed in proportion to the faithfulness of those who during their life on earth had manifested varying degrees of love and loyalty to God's claim. I believe He will put His approved servants into position of authority during the millennium in proportion to the ability they have developed during their time on earth when entrusted with talents. Having been given resurrection bodies, similar to the resurrection body of Jesus, I don't believe they would again part with these bodies, and would live in them during the millennium in much the same way Jesus did with His resurrection body after He rose from the dead, and held converse with the different ones who were privileged to see Him. After the wedding supper has taken place and the Lord has distributed His rewards and appointed His servants to their posts of privilege I believe all will then return to the earth and begin to restore order and administer a reign of righteousness, during which time all rulers who have failed to rule righteously will have to resign and give place to Christ and His servants who constitute His bride. I don't know whether the Lord will set up His headquarters in any particular place or whether He will appear and disappear - guiding and helping His servants as they may have need of His superior knowledge. At the end of the 1000 years things should be so put in order, that there will be a readiness for the final wind-up, or balance sheet of the world, and then God's own people will go to live with Him, after the great white throne has been set up and sinners commanded to part from His presence. Referring to your question as to whether the Lord will be seen by the natural eye when He comes again: I'm sure His saints will see Him and will be able to recognize Him by the prints of the nails, which will help us to remember the great love he had for us in giving His life. When the saints are called away from the earth to meet Him there must be a feeling of awe and dismay among the sinners who are left behind in suspense. Trust we may be able to live in the spirit of watching and waiting until He comes.

Your Brother in Him, John Sullivan

(from Ireland to Australia in the very early 1900's)

Our Adoption

1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will'. Romans 8:15-16, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”.

I don't think you will find the word adoption in the Old Testament, because the Children of Israel were of the seed of Abraham, but the spirit of adoption was there. Moses was brought up by Pharoah. When Esther's mother and father died, Mordecai brought her up. The Gentiles are not the seed of Abraham. What would you say if I said we were all spiritual orphans? Those who are willing to receive Him, He will make them His children.

When I was three years old, my mother found the Truth through a lovely couple who were our neighbours. From that time on she took us four children to meetings. We were going to meetings for four years when Father died from a ruptured gall bladder. Awhile later mother died of pneumonia. We children were 12, 10, 8 and 6 years old at that time. I was 8. The workers appointed us temporary guardians. One day one of the workers said to me “Tomorrow your new Mum and Dad are coming to get you”. I was excited and collected up my doll, toothbrush, scrapbook and dresses to take with me. My 12 year old sister said “Don't you know that when you leave, you are never coming back!” My sister said the four children could live here and the three oldest could look after our little brother, but Mr. and Mrs. Cossentine came to get me. I had three choices that day, just the same as you had when you listened do the Gospel.

First choice—I could have said “no thanks”, my sister doesn't want me to leave. If we had said no, it would be because we couldn't see very far ahead. If our little brother got sick in the first blizzard, what would we have done? People do that spiritually.

Second choice—I could have said '”You adopt me and I will take your name and
get my name on your Will, but I'll stay here and live with the others here”.
People do that spiritually too—they want God but they want to stay where they
are.

Third choice--There was no discussion that day, whether I would keep my room tidy, etc. I needed them and they wanted me.  We don't say I'll have my own way once a week, spiritually.

My sister and little brother went to another home together and my other brother went to another family. We kept in touch with each other and saw each other at conventions.

I didn't know what to call my new Mum and Dad. I called her lady one day. They didn't understand my plight. They told me to call them Mum and Dad or Mummy and Daddy. Swanson was my really name but Cossentine is my name now, but inside I am still a Swanson.

Jesus cried “Abba, Father”.

The kids at school laughed at my new name after I was legally adopted and I was upset, but my mother said, “Tell the children we loved you and chose you”. Tell them when they were born they had to take what they got! When God adopts us, He gives us His Spirit and we become joint heirs. We have a big-hearted Father who wants to give us His Spirit and aren’t we thankful we have been adopted.  Aren’t we thankful for a Heavenly Father who is able to meet every need that arises?

Hymns #282 and #306

 

H. Cossentine - Our adoption

Elizabeth Jamieson's Testimony

After Willie (Wm. Jamieson, her brother) heard and accepted the Gospel (in his first meeting), he asked the worker who held that meeting, if there would ever be an opportunity for him to go into this ministry?  This worker asked him, "How soon could you be ready?"  "In two weeks," replied Willie.  It was a little longer than this before he went, but during this time of waiting, he came to Edinburgh, where my older sister, Violet, and I were working.  He told us about the Truth he had found, every day for a whole week.  One morning, by my bedside, I yielded my heart to God, and at the same time, offered my life for God's great Harvest Field. My sister, Violet, went out then, in the Work in July or August, 1905, and I followed on the 27th of October.  I was nineteen, my sister older... It hurt Father and Mother to have Willie go, and then Violet, but it nearly broke their hearts when I left.  Tears were streaming down their faces, and mine.  They were Presbyterians.  Father an Elder for as long as I could remember.  On my knees that night, for the first time, I realized the meaning of words in Luke 14:26 -- "If any man come to me, and hate not his father or mother...he cannot be my disciple."  My parents were saying too, to each other, "If what our three children are doing is right, we're not right." 

Later, after some experience in this work in Scotland, I became ill.  I had then, two offers:  one from my favorite brother, to come and housekeep for him.  Ordinarily, I would have liked nothing better, but I got a letter just then from Willie, offering me a place in the Work in California.  He and Walter Slater were at Pismo Beach, "a grand training ground for preachers," he wrote.  Later in the letter, he said, "we're living on bread and water."  Sydney, Australia.  He has never professed.  I wrote to him, "no man putting his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of Heaven." 

So I came then, to California, at the age of twenty.  I had been in the Work less than a year.  Florence Langworthy (age twenty-two) became my companion.  We came to Paso Robles, and worked in that area.  At one place, San Miguel, we had a street meeting, and people came out.  We paid 254 a night for a room, and lived on bread and canned milk.  I was young and always hungry!  Florence said to me, "You can surely eat considerable!"  About that time, we moved to Hames Valley.  People were more friendly in this country district, but as it grew near to Christmas, they cooled off, and we were feeling they might be afraid we would be with them at Christmas time. 

On a Sunday afternoon, they had a meeting and we attended.  No one invited us home for supper, so we stayed in the school until our meeting time.  The school would hardly hold the people that night, but nobody asked us home.  There was a stove in the school, but no fuel, and it was too cold to sleep there so we wandered outdoors.  We'd not gone far, when a young man caught up with us, and asked us to ride with him.  He wanted to know where we were going and almost before we could answer, he said: "You are wasting your time there.  These people are not worthy of what you are doing for them.  Imagine all these people there, and not one of them asking you home.  Now I'll tell you what I'm doing; I am taking you to town (Bradley), and paying for your room and breakfast."  And that is what he did. Next day, we went out to the school again, and the first thing we noticed, was a load of wood at the door, and as we crossed the yard, we found an apple that a child had bitten into.  We cut out the bitten part and divided it, and that was our supper.  One old man came out that night, and we slept in the school. 

Next morning, we walked along the road, hardly knowing where to go, too discouraged almost to speak, when a man we had never seen before overtook us.  Later, we learned his name, Dave Ray.  He had heard about us, and asked us, "Where are you girls preaching now?" We said.  "We have just closed in Hames Valley," and then he asked us where we were going next, and we said, we didn't know.  He said, "Why don't you come out to our place?"  When I asked him where he lived, he said, "Bryson."  That was twenty-five miles out in the mountains.  I had been brought up in the Lamamor (sp?) Hills in Scotland two and one half miles from town, and to go out into the mountains with a man we had barely met, seemed rather doubtful.  I said we would think about it.  We came to a cross-roads, and he said, "I'll be here at 10 o'clock tomorrow, and be ready."  I had asked him how he knew we were preachers, and he said, "As soon as I saw you, I knew who you were.  You had meetings in San Miguel, and an old man came to those meetings."  I said, "Yes, and he quit coming," and he said, "That man was my father, and we had to send for him because mother was sick, and since he came home he has never quit talking about those meetings, and wants to hear more." It seemed as if God was opening up the way for us, but still I was doubtful, and we decided to ask advice from the lady who had given us two meals when we were in Bradley before. We went then and told her all about it, and asked her to advise us, just as she would her own daughters.  After thinking for awhile, she said, "Yes, if you were my own girls, I'd say, 'go ahead,' and if you want to stay with me at night, you are welcome."  The next day, we met Dave Ray, and he took us to Bryson, to his eighty-year-old mother's house.  He was a bachelor, and it was with much surprise that she saw her son handing down two young women from the buggy.  "These are the two preacher girls Dad told us about.  They're going to have meetings in the school, and stay with us here." 

Then a few decided:  Aunt Dora Smith, and Hazel, her daughter, others, too, until there were five.  Then later, some others, and two meetings were formed, Wed. evening and a Sunday.  Then later, we moved to another district.  Grandpa Ray had another daughter and family.  One relative was an infidel, Jeff Harris.  His wife was Aunt Dora's sister.  He gave us an open invitation to come any time to stay, but he had two very fierce hunting dogs, which he kept on his front porch.  Well, one night, no one had invited us home, and we started out walking toward the Harris'.  After a while, Florence fearfully said to me, "What about the dogs?"  I was thinking of them too, and as we neared the house, I was sure we'd be rushed by them and attacked.  We heard nothing, and continued up to the front porch where they ordinarily slept, and slipped into the house.  In the morning, when Jeff discovered we were in his home, his face got white.  He knew that his dogs, if they'd attacked us, could easily have --led (sp) us.  I told him, "Jeff, when I preached about God closing the lions' mouths, you didn't believe it, but now you can see that God kept your dogs from meeting and attacking us." 

I had to learn a new language in this country.  One word that was strange to me was "joiners"... "Have you got any 'joiners' yet?" we would be asked.  In Scotland, a 'joiner' is a carpenter!  What would we do with a carpenter? 

One evening, in one home, we were served supper, and with it, what we thought was tea.  It had a peculiar smell, so my companion didn't drink any.  One of the men at the table complained to the cook about its odd taste.  A little research revealed that the "tea" had come from a shelf near the kitchen stove.  This shelf held various tins of things; things such as coffee, tea, and tobacco.  You can guess the mistake that had been made, and I, who had been enjoying such hearty fare, had to hastily arise and go out to the back yard, where I promptly lost my supper. Later, we were at Lockwood, and then attending Special Meetings, I met Jennie Butler.  She had professed near King City, through Uncle Willie.  She was then thirty-five years old, and I was amazed that someone her age was still in the Work!  Here am I, still in it, and I won't tell you how old I am! 

Then, in 1907, some of us took a steamer from San Francisco to Portland, Oregon (a trip of five or six days at that time).  Willie and Jack Carroll were seasick the whole time, but we girls were not at all, and how we laughed at their misery, singing to them... 

  "Art thou sunk in depths of sorrow, 

   Art thou sunk so low?" 

Then we came to Willamette River, and Jack Carroll said jokingly to Willie and me, "Why don't you take opposite sides of the river; one of you on one side and the other, the other side?"  And that's exactly what we did!  I said to myself, "I'll let Willie come to me, before I ever go to him!"  And that is what happened.  On one side of the river (my side), Charlie Konschak, a bachelor, professed in our mission.  On the other side, a number of young girls had professed in Willie's mission.  His companion had left him, and he didn't feel free to visit them in their homes.  On my side, folks were marrying Charlie and me off!  Willie said he didn't know what to do!  "I do," I said.  "I'll go and help your girls; you come and help Charlie!"  And so we traded missions. 

In late 1910, my companion and I had meetings in a district some miles from Boring, a farming community near Portland, Oregon.  We heard from many about the Swedish Settlement, and several strange Swedes who thought they were the only people who were right.  I decided if I came back to that part after convention, I would stay away from the Swedes!  Sure enough, we returned to that part and found an opening on Sandy Ridge, about six miles from the Swedish district, but there was no real interest, so we closed.  We then tried to find an opening farther away, but found no open door, either in any of the towns or country districts.  Very reluctantly we decided we would have to go to the Swedish district.  From the start, most were kind and friendly, and one very religious man even went around and took up a collection for us, which of course, we refused and this gave us a chance to tell him personally, what God's way was.  He had to go around again and give back the money.  After we had been several weeks there, Willie came and helped us for two or three weeks.  We then had the joy of seeing Carl Hanson and his wife, and two brothers decide, and some others.  Edith decided later, and a nice little church was formed.  All kept true.  We were there for seventeen or eighteen weeks, and left with thankful hearts.  If we had seen ahead, that several years later, convention would be held at Carl Hanson's place, it would have been easier to tramp through snow, and over much roads.  However, God does not lift the curtain, and as we sincerely seek to labor in faith, we can leave the results with Him. 

In 1911, several weeks after the mission at Boring, I became ill.  And early in 1912, I went to Paso Robles to the Hill's farm.  Two different doctors had told me I had tuberculosis.  Another had told me I was anemic, needed much rest, in fact probably wouldn't live very long.  Sending me to the Hill's farm in Paso Robles proved to be the very best thing for me.  They put up a tent for me, and gave me a dozen beautiful leghorn chickens to care for.  The children also found two cats, which I kept in my tent (two holes being cut through which the cats came and went).  One day, while sitting on my cot, I saw a white head poke through, and it was one of my chickens!  She was followed by one, and then another and soon all dozen decided this was just the place to lay their eggs in my tent! 

In Mountain Dale, I was having eight meetings a week, for six weeks.  I had the local church for the evening and the afternoon, and was, as usual, getting ready for the afternoon service, when the Swedish preacher came up to me and asked rudely, "Are you the woman who's been having meetings here?"  "Yes," I replied, "I'm the LADY."  "Well," he said, "It's MY  service!"  I didn't argue with him at all, but moved quietly to the back of the church.  At this, a big tall logger got up and came back to where I was.  "Aren't you preaching this afternoon?  Well, if you're not, I'm not staying."  He stalked out and with him, about ten of his friends. 

In 1920, Mable Pryer and I went to Vancouver Island.  At that time, there were no friends North of Victoria.  Here we discovered a man of the Plymouth Brethren sect who was going from house to house, influencing people against us.  His favorite salutation when he met anyone was, "Are you saved?"  He accused me of being a Cooneyite".  I pretended I didn't know what he meant, letting on that the only coney I knew about was the little animal spoken about in the book of Proverbs.  And, of course, he was against women preachers.  But in spite of all, a little church was formed at Sandwick.  I'm happy to say that the children and the grandchildren are still going to that little church. 

An incident which took place not too long after I professed in Edinburgh, comes now to mind.  I had asked my parents' permission to go to a meeting, which was a little farther away than usual, and they had somewhat reluctantly agreed to let me go. 

Bicycling along, it was very dark the last two miles, and it was ten before I reached home. Bedtime at our house was at nine, but I found my father still up and waiting for me.  I had walked that last two miles, pushing my bicycle ahead of me in the dark.  I found out later that father had watched through the window, looking at my bicycle light.  When I reached the last two miles, he had come down to walk along beside me on the other side of the hedge, unbeknownst to me. 

Had I needed him, he would have been instantly at my side, but he kept so quiet so as not to scare me.  How like our heavenly Father this was, and how often I have thought of it and connected it with the words spoken to Moses: 

 "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."  I can truly say, throughout these early days, and even until now, I have known His presence walking by my side, and giving me protection and rest of mind and spirit as I have tried to do His will. 

 

Elizabeth Jamieson – Taken from longhand notes – "Auntie Elizabeth's" reminiscences –Hayward, California 1969

Rest For The Future

Hymn 327 “He who hath led, will lead.” I like this song because it is all about the future. Isaiah 32:18 “My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”  This is a beautiful picture for God’s people. On the journey of life we MUST find the quiet resting place. I have been considering these quiet resting places and I have come up with five of these resting places.

1. Trust: We are going into an unknown future, but we can trust God’s leading.  Trust to the extent that our soul is at rest. Ruth 2:12 - God, under whose wings Ruth had come to trust.  We always enjoy people who are at ease. Daniel 3:12 - Daniel’s friends trusted God completely even when thrown into the fire.  Even the King knew that their refusal to bow down to his god, and they trusted that God would deliver them, caused the king to trust in God also.  David trusted God in his battles.

2. Forgiveness: Makes the journey easy.  Joseph learned to forgive his brothers when everything was going bad.  He never blamed his brothers for the difficulties he experienced, realizing that God was directing his path. Genesis 50: 15, & 20 - Even when Jacob was dead and his brothers were sure he’d then "hate us and requite us for the evil which we did to him." Joseph told them: “You thought it for evil, but God meant it for good to save much people alive.”

3. Prayer: Pray until sacrifice and service become a privilege.

4. Love: so deeply that it does not matter what God asks of us.  Love keeps our heart soft. When our hearts are soft it’s easy to forgive, easy to pray, and easy to find a place of service. The more we love, the less we hate, the less we are inclined to criticize or find fault.

5. Submission: Submit until our human will is broken.  Jesus prayed in the garden “Thy will be done.” If we find these resting places, we’ll have all the help we’ll need to have the strength to be victorious.

I had taken this little 3 year-old boy on a subway in Warsaw, (Poland) and it was crowded with people. He couldn’t see around, or up ahead, not a good place to have little kids. He looked up at me and said, “I’m not afraid.” But he was hanging on to my hand for dear life. This world is a bad place, so we need to hang on to our heavenly Father’s hand as tight as we can.

T. Carr 2009, Rest For The Future, Saginaw, OR

3-Ways Of Knowing A Person:

1. Walking with the person. This is casual acquaintance (know a person by name but no real relationship). This can happen every day as we walk going to school or our workplace and we 'bump' into people or we get introduced to the person at a function, at diner or at a party. Example: I know who our president is (by name), but does the president know who I am? A lot of people also know God (by name) and even call out His name (Mat 7:21). And just like our president would say to me, “I don’t know you,” so will God also say to all those who had only casually known Him, “I know you not.” (Mat 25:12). John 1:10, He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. This is sad because of not knowing Him.

2. Working with the person. This is a deeper acquaintance (workmates/friends). I know my workmates and my workmates know me personally as we work together on the same job. We have the same passion, and love to do the same things; we are together eight hours a day. We have a working relationship. But after work hours I could be a different person than the one my workmates have known at work. Judas, one of the twelve, has a working relationship with Jesus (Mat 26:14, 47). The five foolish virgins have a working relationship with their bridegroom (Mat 25:1-12). They were with Him but not as it should be.

3. Living with the person. This is the deepest form of acquaintance (being married to the person). Here is where the deepest of knowing each other comes out. Living with the person makes we know that person in the deepest sense of the word. We are with the person 24-hour-days, 8-days a week. This enables us to not only know the person's name but more so the person's personality and character. We get to know the person best in this situation because we are with the person and the person is with us. We get to know the person's moods. We get to know the person’s attitude, principles, purpose or goal in life, aspirations, and ups and downs. In this situation, we get to know how the person reacts towards certain experiences and conditions and in everyday issues. We get to feel the person’s spirit and all that is in that person’s heart. We are not only hearing the person speak, but also seeing the person do and we become witnesses to that person’s life. In such a situation, we use all our senses to get to know the person: hearing, seeing, feeling, touching, and tasting the goodness (or badness) of that person. John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” This is the kind of relationship we want to establish with our Lord and Savior. This is eternal life. It begins here and now and not after we die. John 1:38-39, “Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see…” This is the time they came to know Him personally and as time went by their knowledge of Him grew. Nathaniel first knew nothing about Jesus, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” verse 46. Later he said, “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel” verse 49. Thomas who doubted Jesus would later say, “My Lord and my God (John 20:28).” It was very personal to him this time. It was not because of what the others told him, but what he saw with his own eyes and heard with own ears and touched with his own hands. Later, John the beloved, also wrote about his personal encounter with Jesus and he was a very old man at this time but still remember so vividly what he had experienced with Jesus. 1John 1:1, That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life. We’re so grateful for this and one longs to establish this kind of relationship with our Lord, our Master, and our Savior. So that it can be a very personal one with my Lord, my Master, my Savior, and the Bridegroom of my soul…

R. Aragones

God's Armour

DON  MacINTYRE - 1972 - God’s Armour - Glencoe,

We have just been singing about God’s armour. It is good to think about that. We are soldiers in a ‘warfare;’ we war against a ruthless enemy, a pitiless enemy, an astute enemy, and we therefore have very great need of this armor. 

Some people in some parts of the world seem to fear for their own personal safety, security and survival and feel they have to be armed. Some believe we carry weapons, and as a matter of fact, we have been actually asked if we have been armed. You will understand we are not armed in the sense they think of that matter, but in a far more important sense we are "armed." I am armed for my own personal safety spiritually, for my own survival spiritually, and for your safety and survival you must be armed. You cannot possibly go through this world unarmed and still survive spiritually. The enemy, the devil, is not afraid of us. That is, we, as human beings, he has no reason to be afraid of us. He is more than a match for any human beings, regardless of their character, capabilities or capacity. He is more than a match, but there is the armor supplied by God that makes us more than a match for him. 

Sometimes even the best soldiers undergo certain refresher courses, a kind of specialized course to make them even better, or equip them better or with more equipment, to face the enemy. These days together might be something like that. The weapons of God’s armor are available to you every day, but in these days together He would want to teach you a little better how to use them, and teach you more fully what weapons are available to you and make you feel that, equipped with the weapons of His armory, you can go out and be more than a match for the enemy. 

In II Corinthians 2 Paul spoke of the desire of Satan to get an advantage over them. That is what he wants to do, to find you and me undefended, defenseless, unarmed and thus get an advantage over us. I Peter 4:1, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind.”  This verse has impressed me. This matter of being armed has a tremendous lot to do with the manner in which I am thinking, the kind of thoughts I have. “Arm yourselves.” This is something you and I need to do for ourselves. Many times I have had problems, and you would have had them too. You will have lots more, and so will I. Many times I have said to the Lord, “What is the solution to this problem?” 

The solution to every problem I have to face is to find and have the mind of Christ. That is one of your chief weapons. It is perfectly obvious to us that, “If I am to be armed spiritually my flesh has to suffer; it has to be disciplined.” In Proverbs 25, the last verse says, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.” That would be defenseless. To get rule over your own spirit, it is your flesh that has to suffer, has to be disciplined, and it does not like discipline. 

If the human in us does not suffer, we are defenseless and unarmed, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind.” It is good for us to make up our minds as Paul says, “I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest after I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” He also said, “So fight I, not as one that beateth the air.” He was not aiming blows at himself, and just beating the air, but hitting the mark, disciplining this human nature of his, the human in him, knowing that to be armed he had to do that. 

II Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love of a sound mind.” That means we have a sound, sensible, reasonable, practical way of thinking. The word ‘wisdom’ from the English Bible, in the Brazilian Bible means ‘good sense.’ People who have good sense, they are armed. I have often desired to have more ‘good sense.’ “God hath not given us the spirit of fear.”  One of the ways the enemy gets an advantage over us is by putting into us, if we give him an opportunity, the spirit of fear. The Lord did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and a sound mind. 

I thought of the twelve spies Moses sent to spy out the land. All the twelve saw what the land produced, those tremendous bunches of grapes, and figs, but somehow the enemy was able to instill into ten of the twelve a spirit of fear, and they came back with an evil report. All they seemed to see and remember were the giants, the size of the people and the size of the difficulties, and they began to discourage the hearts of the people of God. But two did not have the spirit of fear; God had been able to give them that spirit of power, of love and a sound mind. Caleb said, “Let us go up and possess the land, for we are well able.” He was not afraid of the people of the land, or the difficulties. He had a sound mind. If you find a thought in your mind, “I can’t do it,” that is not a very sound mind, or sound thought. 

It is a thought the enemy of your soul puts there, wanting to get an advantage over you. Something else Paul feared was that the enemy might get an advantage in God’s people. In II Corinthians 2:1 he said, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” During the war we underestimated the Japanese fighter plane, the Zero, and we paid dearly for that. We thought the planes were shoddy like other things.  If nations are to overcome an enemy they need to understand their devices. God had not given us the spirit of fear, but nevertheless it is profitable for us to know some of his devices. 

II Corinthians, 11:2-3, “For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” This matter of putting on the armor of God has a great deal to do with our minds and with our hearts too, and with our manner of looking upon things. How was it that Eve’s mind was corrupted from the simplicity in Christ? She conversed with the serpent, and seemed to give her ear to the serpent, and it corrupted her mind and it had terrible consequences. Jesus said those simple words, but they were tremendously important, “Take heed what ye hear.” 

It would be very profitable to emphasize that today. It was because she listened to the voice of the serpent, and not being fully aware of its subtlety, that sin entered into the mind of Eve and her mind was corrupted. In I Timothy 6:3, Paul said, “If any man…,” and he meant any man, regardless of who he might be. He might be one of the greatest upon earth, but, “If any man consent not to wholesome words…” even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud, and how much does he know? Nothing. He knows nothing in the sight of God if he disagrees with the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. Regardless of how well educated he might be, or what experiences he might have had, he is proud and does not know anything; he is an imbecile, nothing more than a brute beast. “I fear,” Paul said. “Let us take heed to what we hear.” It is very important advice. 

I was asking myself the question, what were the weapons Jesus used to overthrow the enemy? The weapons in God’s armory are a very profitable study. In Matthew 4 Jesus went to the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. The enemy used the scriptures to try and overthrow Jesus. He used the most powerful weapons he had every time he tempted Jesus. He knew he had never been faced with an adversary, an opponent equal to the Son of God. With every other one, somehow or other, he had had the victory, but this time it was going to be different. When the tempter came to Jesus, He had been forty days and nights without eating. If He had an appetite like mine, he would have been thinking a good deal about bread. It would have been uppermost in His mind humanly, to satisfy the awful hunger He must have felt. Jesus replied, “It is written.” 

It is a wonderful thing to know how many times the very Son of God referred to the scriptures. It is wonderful to see the respect He had for the scriptures. It is wonderful to see the number of times He also said that the scriptures cannot be broken. Jesus knew, “If I break the scriptures, I will be unarmed. If I ever depart from the scriptures, there will be an opening in my armor for the enemy to corrupt.” So He said, “It is written...” It is good if we could reply to the tempter with weapons like that but sometimes we don’t. Jesus had a very good understanding of the scriptures, and it is a good wholesome thing for us to have a good understanding of the scriptures. Lots of folk in Brazil cannot read, but that does not mean they cannot get saved, and they do get saved, but one can see a tremendous difference when people can read. 

We need to be diligent in reading. Paul wrote to Timothy about reading, and meditating. The Brazilian Bible uses the word ‘persist’ in reading. Sometimes we don’t persist enough. Sometimes when we open our book it does not seem so fresh or easy to get something. You should persist in reading. It is very important that you understand the Scriptures. Jesus understood the scriptures, and it was one of the most wonderful weapons in his armory. Job said, “I have esteemed the words of Thy mouth more than my necessary food.” 

What do you think of first of all when you get out of bed? Is it drenching the sheep, rounding up the cattle? That is not unlawful, but it is a great thing when we esteem a knowledge of the scriptures, the words of God’s mouth, ever more than our daily bread. It does not mean we are to be slothful, but everything should be in its rightful place. 

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” When the disciples had gone into the city to buy meat, and Jesus sat on the well, the woman of Samaria came out of the city to draw water. Later on the disciples came back and were surprised that he talked with the woman, she being a Samaritan.   Jesus said to them, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” They had not yet reached the stage where doing the will of God was their very meat, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” “You don’t understand yet.” Jesus said also, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me and to finish His work.” 

The devil tempted Jesus to get up on the pinnacle of the temple, and he might tempt you too sometimes, but let us go on, “Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them and said unto him, all these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me.”  Jesus said to Satan, “Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.'” Jesus Himself spoke of people who believed on Him, but they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. They did not confess Him. They knew He was the Son of God and they knew He was right; they knew what He was doing and preaching was right, but they loved the praise of men, the honor and glory of the world. 

The enemy offered Jesus all the riches, power and glory, but Jesus said, “It is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve.” Jesus was not interested in the praise of men, but he was interested in the praise of God. Happy are the people who are far more interested in the praise of God than of men, even the praise of your brethren. It is not wrong to have the praise of your brethren if you merit it. If you have the praise of God, you will have the praise of your brethren. Jacob could say of Judah in Genesis 49:8-11, “Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise.” It is a wonderful weapon, the praise of God. 

Romans 12:16 says, “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.” The Portuguese (Brazilian) Bible says, “Don’t be ambitious for high things, accommodate yourselves to men of low estate.” Lowliness of mind is one of the best weapons in God’s armory. It is not very easy to be overcome by the enemy if you have lowliness of mind. I was thinking of this matter of Jesus referring to the Scriptures so often, and of the time in the garden when Peter drew a sword. In II Corinthians, 10:4, Paul said, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,” then he said, “but mighty through God to the palling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.” When the soldiers and others came to take Jesus, they brought staves and sticks and swords, carnal weapons, not spiritual weapons. Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. A sword used in that way is not one of our weapons. 

If you want to make yourself defenseless, you try and defend yourself like that. It tells us of Jesus in I Peter 2:23, “When He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.” He never used a sword. He did not have one of that kind. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, they are spiritual.  When Peter drew that sword and cut off the ear, Jesus said, “Put up again thy sword into his place. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” That would be about 72,000. “The cup which my Father giveth Me shall I not drink it?” And if He had called those angels, how would the Scripture be fulfilled? Jesus was most anxious to fulfill the Scriptures. He had tremendous respect for them. “The cup which my Father giveth me shall I not drink it.” That is the answer to lots of our problems. Sometimes I have found myself up against something awfully humbling and painful to the human in me, and I have thought a little of that verse. His complete submission was one of his most wonderful and effective weapons he had in overcoming the tempter. 

Peter said, “Who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good.” It says of Joseph in Genesis 49:23, “The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him.” It seemed as though some of his own brothers were the archers. Maybe some of us have shot a few arrows at our brothers and sisters, maybe one or two in the meeting. Of Joseph it said, “But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob.” What were his weapons? Did he shoot back? He did not shoot back. He had a different kind of bow. Psalm 45:5, “Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies.” That is the place to put your arrows. Psalm 144:1, “He teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” God does not want us to war against our brethren. 

Some of Joseph’s brethren shot at him, but the day came when they had very good reason to bow their heads in shame, and if you shoot too many arrows you will find yourself bowing your head in shame, Peter said, “Who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good.” Joseph was a follower of that which is good. Who could harm him? Not the King of Egypt, or the things of Egypt, nor his own brothers; no one or nothing. Your best defense and mine is not to try and use the sword against others, or defend ourselves, but be followers of that which is good. 

Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus.” It is interesting to note that it begins with the word ‘let.’ It is up to you and me. It is not always so easy to let the mind of Christ be in us. Humanly we would prefer our own way of doing things, but it never gives good results. Verse 6, “Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” I do not think Jesus was in any sense usurping authority when he considered Himself in Heavenly equal with God. The mind of Christ was to make himself of no reputation. It is not easy to let that mind be in us. 

In the world I wanted to have a reputation. It is one of the things my poor mother never got over when I accepted the truth and later went into the work. I was a preacher without a reputation. Had I been a preacher with a reputation, title, and other things that go with it, I think she would have been happier. Jesus made Himself of no reputation. It is not so easy to do, but it is a wonderfully effective weapon when we deal with the enemy. 

He “took upon him the form of a servant.” It does not say that God obliged Him to do it. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Ye have no need that I write unto you,” concerning this or that. Paul could say, “I have no need to ask you to do it. I know that you would do more than I ask.” I believe God could say that of His Son and so He took upon Himself the form of a servant. Humanly we would rather take the form of a captain, the one who gives the orders. “And was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the fashion of a man, He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” 

I was thinking of a man who threw away his shield. In II Samuel 1:21 we read of David lamenting the death of Saul. That lamentation came from the depths of his heart. There was a man who had fought, had made use of the weapons of God, had a certain amount of victory, but the time came, through playing the fool, there were chinks in his armor, and finally he was slain by the enemy. But before he was slain he threw the shield away. “The shield of the mighty is vilely cast away,” David said. 

In Ephesians 6:16 we read of the shield of faith. “Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”  I hope we will never throw away our shield. James said the devils believe and tremble. God does not want you or me to leave this place too fearful, not over-confident, but like I read about a certain battalion of soldiers, that they were superbly equipped. 

I was reading about what we call the "free world," from the point of view of some nations. One of the true desires of the leaders of the free world is that they might maintain a gap between the effectiveness of their weapons and the effectiveness of the weapons of the enemy. Jesus proved there is a big gap between the effectiveness of God’s weapons and that of the enemy. Paul said we are not ignorant of the enemy’s devices. He knew the enemy had weapons, but he knew there was a big gap between the effectiveness of the enemy’s weapons and the effectiveness of God’s armory. 

Let us go out from here feeling that we don’t need to tremble because of the enemy. The devil himself trembles. The devils believe there is one God, and they tremble. The devil is afraid of the weapons you have. He knows what he has is no match for God’s weapons. Let us go out from here recognizing that we are superbly equipped. Never throw away any of the weapons, but learn how to use them. May God give us some special training and teach our hands to war, so that we will be able to say as Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown....”